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Technology Dynamics and Transition Management in China Technology Dynamics: Concepts and Theories Social group Solution Problem Social Solution group Problem Solution Social group Artefact Problem Problem Social Group Social group Social Solution group Problem Solution Problem Prof. Mi Jianing School of Management, Harbin Institute of Technology Dr Wim Ravesteijn Section Technology Dynamics and Sustainable Development, faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology January 8, 2010 1 Technology Dynamics Itaipu Dam Background: development; “Brazil energy superpower” Output: 93% Of the energy consumed by Paraguay and 20% of that consumed by Brazil (2005) Context: negotiations and agreements between Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina Problem: 2000-2001 Drought resulted in recurring blackouts and rationing of electricity usage Social impact: approximately 10,000 families were dislodged from their plots. Some of these families eventually came to be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Itaipu2.JPG members of one of Brazil's largest social movements : the Landless Workers Movement. January 8, 2010 2 Technology Dynamics What is happening here? January 8, 2010 3 Technology Dynamics What is happening here? Does technology* development take place autonomously or is technology shaped by its social context? In other words: do engineers take the lead in technology development or do they have to do what society asks them to do? * Technology = product, man-made artifact or technical system, hardware January 8, 2010 4 Technology Dynamics Visions Technological determinism / Technology push: Technology determines society Technology is always a positive sum game Technology development is autonomous & linear Social constructivism / society demands: Society and social groups determine technology; e.g. SCOT- model Co-evolution of technology & society E.g. socio-technical systems theory (Hughes) January 8, 2010 5 Technology Dynamics Autonomous Technology Every new generation has some creative geniuses. They invent some new technologies (by there more than average intelligence or by pure coincidence). The act of invention is independent of society. Succesful inventions diffuse in society and, thereupon, transform society. January 8, 2010 6 Technology Dynamics Autonomous Technology Technology innovation is not accidental but depending on scientific progress. As scientific progress is the result of its own dynamics, and independent of societal change, technological change is independent of society. (E.g. Dijksterhuis, 1950 and Koyre, 1943). January 8, 2010 7 Technology Dynamics Autonomous Technology Scientific knowledge accumulates Technology is applied science Resources for technological innovation are growing forever Technology is ever improving Technological autonomy → Technological determinism Jacques Ellul: Traditional technology vs. modern technology (1960s) January 8, 2010 8 Technology Dynamics Traditional Technology according to Ellul: Limited in its application (technologies were often based on specific local resources and therefore hardly transferable); Dependent on limited resources and on ‘skill’ (skills like making and repairing tools, but also being able to judge weather conditions, or the tides); Local in its character, i.e., technological solutions for specific problems were embedded in local culture and traditions. January 8, 2010 9 Technology Dynamics Ellul characterizes modern technology by: Automatism, i.e. there is only one ‘best’ way to solve a problem, and this technology seems to be compelling, everywhere on the planet; Self increase, i.e. a new technology reinforces the growth of other technologies: this leads to exponential growth; Indivisibility: the technological way of life must be accepted completely, including its good and bad sides; Cohesion, i.e. technologies that are used in various different areas have much in common; Universalism, i.e. technology is geographically as well as qualitatively omnipresent. January 8, 2010 10 Unabomber Attacks January 8, 2010 11 Unabomber Attacks Unabomber Reasoning The car increases our freedom by increased freedom of movement By having a car, we can do our shopping in malls Small neighbourhood shops disappear We therefore are forced to have a car So a technology like the car limits our liberty Implications of this view for possibility to steer technology development? January 8, 2010 12 Technology Dynamics The linear model of technology development Development First Development Broad of new Introduction of new product Diffusion Effects Fundamental in market or system in society knowledge niche January 8, 2010 13 Technology Dynamics Social constructivism Various social groups are involved with technology Every group has a specific view of a certain technology Example: PC. • secretary: type writer • book keeper: administration tool • at home: communication tool Technologies are shaped by demand / influence of relevant social groups January 8, 2010 14 Technology Dynamics SCOT-model: Social Construction of Technology Artifact Relevant social groups Interpretative flexibility Inclusion of new groups Technological frame January 8, 2010 15 Technology Dynamics SCOT-model: Social Construction of Technology Social group Solution Social group Solution Social Solution group Artefact Problem Problem Social group Problem Social group Solution Problem Social Solution Group Problem Problem January 8, 2010 16 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle January 8, 2010 17 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle Boneshaker Macmillan’s bicycle Guilmet’s bicycle Penny Farthing Xtraordinary Geared Facile Star Club Safety Lawson’s Bicyclette January 8, 2010 18 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle 1818 Draisienne Two-wheeled rider-propelled machine January 8, 2010 19 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle http://www.phys.uri.edu/~tony/bicycle/draisien.gif January 8, 2010 20 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle 1861 Michaux January 8, 2010 21 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle January 8, 2010 22 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle 1874 Ariel January 8, 2010 23 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle from 1879 Safety bicycles 1885 Rover Safety Bicycle http://www.phys.uri.edu/~tony/bicycle/rover.gif January 8, 2010 24 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle 1890s Ordinary http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co mmons/thumb/a/a7/Ordinary_bicycle01.jp g/180px-Ordinary_bicycle01.jpg January 8, 2010 25 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle Penny farthing, up to 1.5 m Line of development guided by a speed wish sustained by young, sportive men for whom the danger of falling was part of the fun 1893 High wheeler http://www.bikes.msu.edu/history/web/hi- wheeler-1-P3019443.JPG January 8, 2010 26 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle Safety bike Reflectors for night riding Women, recreation cyclists, older people were all interested in the development of a safe and comfortable bike (with brakes, rear wheel drive, pneumatic tires etc.) Ultimately, interpretative flexibility declined: one (safety) bike, used by all actors, the old and the (included) new actors http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Bicycle.jpg January 8, 2010 27 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle January 8, 2010 28 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle Solution! January 8, 2010 29 Technology Dynamics Example: Development of the Bicycle, SCOT-model: concepts Artifact: bike Relevant social groups: esp. sportive, young men Inclusion of new groups: e.g. women and old people Interpretative flexibility: speed vs safe transportation January 8, 2010 30 Technology Dynamics Technological frame Mindset for design and the solution of problems; mechanical engineering frame Technological regime: all rules steering engineering design January 8, 2010 31 Technology Dynamics Technological regime: Moore’s law http://www.seed.slb.com/en/scictr/watch/co mputer/images/moores_law.jpg Every 18 months: twice as many IC’s on a chip January 8, 2010 32 Technology Dynamics Technological regimes Rules for technological acting: Design demands and design tools, educational programme Beliefs and expectations, e.g. Moore’s Law Guiding principles, e.g. digital solutions are preferable January 8, 2010 33 Technology Dynamics Perspectives • Actor perceptions, embedded in society and culture • Engineers regimes, embedded in technology, society and culture • Other regimes, e.g. political regimes January 8, 2010 34 Technology Dynamics Regimes Social-political regimes, e.g. (neo-) colonial policy: exploitation Æ welfare Æ development cooperation Techno-economic regimes, e.g. key technologies with regard to industrial revolution (steam, electricity, ICT) January 8, 2010 35 Technology Dynamics Sociotechnical systems Artifact, e.g. sluice Complex artifact, e.g. sluice complex Technical system, e.g. irrigation system of canals and structures Sociotechnical system, e.g. system of irrigation and management or network of such systems January 8, 2010 36 Technology Dynamics Electricity System Universal supply system Berlin 1930 January 8, 2010 37 Technology Dynamics Sociotechnical Systems A system is constituted of related parts or components These components are connected: the state, or activity, of one component influences the state, or activity, of other components in the system Components are often centrally controlled Limits are established by the extent
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